Agenda Item No: 11
Wolverhampton City Council OPEN DECISION ITEM
Committee / Panel LICENSING COMMITTEE Date 01.02.12
Originating Service Group(s) EDUCATION AND ENTERPRISE
Contact Officer(s)/ DAN O’BRIEN Telephone Number(s) 4381
Title/Subject Matter MOLINEUX STADIUM SAFETY ADVISORY GROUP MINUTES
Recommendation
Members are recommended to note and endorse the minutes of the Molineux Stadium Safety Advisory (MSSAG) Group meetings of 4.10.11 and 13.12.11
MOLINEUX STADIUM SAFETY ADVISORY GROUP MINUTES
1.0 Purpose of Report
1.1 To provide Members with the minutes of the Molineux Stadium Safety Advisory Group and the Wolverhampton Sports Stadia Safety Advisory Group for noting and endorsement.
2.0 Background
2.1 The safety of the larger sports grounds within the City is the responsibility of the Licensing Committee. Accordingly, on 5 May 2004 Members approved proposals relating to the future arrangements for the discharge of the Council’s function in respect of the regulation of the four sports grounds within the City i.e.
• Molineux Stadium, Waterloo Road • Dunstall Racecourse, Dunstall Park • Aldersley Leisure Village, Aldersley Road • Monmore Green Stadium, Sutherland Avenue
2.2 Members also agreed that in addition to the existing Molineux Stadium Safety Advisory Group, a second SAG would be created to administer the certification issues relating to Dunstall Racecourse, Monmore Green Stadium and Aldersley Leisure Village. This is known as the Wolverhampton Sports Stadia Safety Advisory Group (WSSSAG).
2.3 The responsibilities of the Safety Advisory Groups are:
• Assisting the Council, through Regulatory Services, to issue and enforce the conditions of the safety certificate. • Coordinating and consulting with the Police, Fire Service and the building authority and Ambulance Service in respect of the identified stadia. • Assisting the Council with the placing of conditions on the safety certificate to ensure the safety of those using the stadium. • Identifying maximum stadia capacities and the areas of the stadia to which visitors have access. • Providing specialist advice to the Licensing Committee on sports ground safety matters.
2.4 Members agreed to receive minutes of all Safety Advisory Group (SAG) meetings and requested that the Officer who had attended the SAG meeting, is available to present the minutes to Licensing Committee.
2.5 The minutes of the following Molineux Stadium Safety Advisory Group (MSSAG) meetings held on the dates below are attached as Appendices A and B
• 4 October 2011 • 13 December 2011
2.6 Members may be aware of a third SAG convened by the Licensing Service to deal with various outdoor events, this “Events SAG” has no statutory status and is intended to act as a forum of agencies who might have an interest in a particular event in order that the organiser has a single point of contact with authorities. 2.7 The HSE advises caution in dealing with organisers as occasionally SAGs can be implicated in the decision making process of an event. An example of this was “Dreamscape” where there were two fatalities when an attraction became airborne. The Safety Advisory Group was prosecuted.
2.8 The Wolverhampton Events SAG is administered and managed in such a way as to ensure the appropriate public safety advice is made available but also that in providing advice none of the agencies forming the group are exposing either themselves or their employing organisations to a risk of proceedings.
2.9 The Licensing Committee has no functional or strategic responsibility for the Events SAG and would therefore be protected from liability in the event of an incident.
3.0 Financial Implications
3.1 There are no financial implications in this report [JJ/20012012/N]
4.0 Equalities Implications
4.1 There are no equalities implications in this report.
5.0 Environmental Implications
5.1 This report has no direct environmental implications
6.0 Legal Implications
6.1 This report concerns the Council’s duty in discharging its responsibilities to Designated Sports Grounds and Regulated Stands. There are no direct legal implications arising from this report. [SH/20012012/F]
Wolverhampton City Council
Molineux Stadium Safety Advisory Group
Minutes of Meeting held on 4 October 2011
Present
Wolverhampton City Council
Andy Jervis Regulatory Services Dan O'Brien, Regulatory Services Sean Churchill Building Control Steve Burson Building Control
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club
Steve Sutton Wolverhampton Wanderers FC Richard Skirrow Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
West Midlands Police
Dave Hulson Force Football Unit Howard Lewis-Jones Force Football Unit Donna Jones Force Football Unit
West Midlands Fire Service
Neil Aston Baugh WMFS Paul Holick WMFS
West Midlands Ambulance Service
Not represented
1. Apologies
Mark Chapman, Jez Moxey
2. Construction Update
SS reported that contractors had experienced some delays with progress on the upper tier, a temporary roof support had been installed on the upper tier. SS reported mixed feedback from supporters mostly seating complaints however the response to the facility in general was positive. MG reported the club were to be congratulated on their progress not least through their choice of contractors.
3. Minutes/ matters arising following the meeting of the 12 July 2011
DO reported positive response to persistent standing, SS echoed this reporting a number of successful card blocks. MG confirmed that this type of system had a significant impact on home supporters and is beneficial in reducing conflict with stewards. DO reported that there had been issues with turnstile blocks and in particular TB4. SS reported that he felt the block was now performing as before adding the turnstiles have not been automated and are still manual so theoretically there is no reason why it should not perform as before. DO mentioned the possibility of converting the free exit turnstile to an entry exit were it absolutely necessary.
DO reported concerns about the capacity of the Stan Cullis concourse whilst the roof was incomplete, MG added that generally concourses were designed to a capacity of 35%, MG saw the greatest risk before kick off if the concourse was full with 2000 still to come in, SS reported that a congestion management plan had been drawn up and in those circumstances the turnstiles would be closed until the concourse is cleared, DO indicated he would prefer to stay with a restricted capacity of 3800 until the roof was in place, RS indicated that there were no games before Christmas that were likely to sell out. HLJ enquired if there were any plans to use hawkers, SS confirmed they had considered it.
4. Report of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club
SS presented his report on the following matches:
Post match reports:
Real Zaragosa – Pre season friendly – 06/08/11, 15:00 kick off Category – CS Attendance: 11069 (10313), Away 25 (BW Lower) Ejections – None Arrests – None
This game was a low key pre season friendly; the only away supporters were officials and friends/family of players. This was the first game since starting redevelopment of the stadium and the installation of access control to all areas. This was a good first test of the stadium and facilities, there were no safety related issues.
Fulham – 21/08/11, 14:00 kick off Category – A Attendance: 22675 (19496), Away 661 (JH Flank) Ejections – 1 Home Arrests – 2 Home
Prior to kick off there were issues with the access control system that delayed entry of fans in home areas, this was particularly problematic at the Billy Wright turnstiles and the Steve Bull Upper tier turnstiles. The contingency plan was implemented and the manual override was used in the Billy Wright stand. The kick off was delayed by 5 minutes due to the potential for large numbers of fans not being able to access in time for kick off. The Fulham supporters were very well behaved all remaining seated for the duration of the game. A small group of youths who sat at the back of the stand were loud and boisterous but they complied with police and stewards. There were no issues on exit with all leaving together without incident.
Tottenham – 10/09/11, 15:00 kick off Category – B Attendance: 25274 (23495), Away 1320 (JH Flank) Ejections – None Arrests – 4 Away
The Club were assisted at this game by six senior stewards from THFC. There were no issues with the ingress although there were queues remaining at two of the home turnstiles at kick off. Two of the arrests were made pre match and were alcohol/drugs related. There was one arrest for being drunk and one arrest for pitch incursion, the supporter jumped the fence but was intercepted by stewards before he reached the pitch. Generally the Spurs fans were well behaved and there were no issues across the divide. All supporters left the stadium together without issue.
QPR – 17/09/11, 15:00 kick off Category – B Attendance: 24189 (21551), Away 1314 (JH Flank) Ejections – 1 Home Arrests – 2 Away
Four hours prior to kick off there was a city wide power cut that left the Club on emergency backup only. Eventually power was restored at 12:20. This was a good test for the club contingency plan. There were no issues with arrivals. The QPR supporters tried to migrate to the rear of the stand and caused some congestion on the gangways, stewards were despatched to resolve and did so without issue, the QPR fans were compliant. The two away arrests were drink related, one was a groom on his stag party. All QPR fans remained seated and were generally very well behaved. There were no incidents of note across the segregation line and all left the stadium together without issue.
Millwall – Carling Cup – 20/09/11, 19:45 kick off Category – A Attendance: 7749 (6508), Away 264 (SB Lower) Ejections – 2 Home Arrests – 2 Away, 1 Home
A very low attendance was expected for this game, therefore the club agreed a Category A with the police. Additional stewards were on duty and no alcohol on sale to the visitors. Ticket sales to visitors were sold on a member only basis with no sales on the day of the game. There were two away arrests for drunk entry. Approximately 50% of the visitors remained standing despite requests to sit, however they were well behaved and caused no concern. There were no issues at the stadium before, during or after the fixture.
Newcastle Utd – 01/10/11, 15:00 kick off Category – A Attendance: 26561 (23673), Away 1388 (JH Flank) Ejections – 1 Home, 1 away Arrests – 4 Away.
Both home and away supporters turned up late (probably due to the weather) which caused some delays at the stiles, although the majority gained access before the kick off. Although we had 4 away arrests and one away ejection it was a fairly uneventful game. There was lots of banter across the divide that did get very lively at times; however it was well controlled by police and stewards. The club had a good response to requests to be seated in the home areas, but had no co-operation from the away supporters at all. There were no issues on exit.
General updates
During the summer the Club employed the services of Professor Steve Frosdick of IWI Associates to consult on the preparation of the Operations Manual, they also produced a new generic risk assessment for stadium events. This assessment is currently in draft form but has been issued to the LA as part of the North stand documentation.
The revised Club Contingency plan has been issued, however this is now currently under review following the two incidents referred to above and receipt of an update from WMFS. Both the turnstile failure and the power cut required the implementation of the Club’s Contingency Plan and were successfully managed, SS requested that both incidents be recorded by the SAG as test exercises in accordance with the Green Guide, the SAG agreed to this.
All closed season inspections have been satisfactorily completed, the results of the structural survey have been circulated to our maintenance team and building contractor for action where applicable.
7. Report of West Midlands Police
DH reported that Fulham were not expected to be any trouble, there were 2 home arrests both drink related. Tottenham are notorious for travelling by private transport, consequently cause difficulties with police in terms of control. 4 away arrests for drugs, pitch incursion or drink. QPR there were 2 away arrests both drink related, a group of wolves risk began to congregate outside about ten minutes before the end. Millwall was considered low risk because of the limited numbers, however considerable number of risk turned out, there were an estimated 35 outside the ground and 35 inside, a group of 50 risk attempted to attack coaches on the coach park, 6 arrests were made for wearing masks, 5 bans had been made, 2 14B banning orders and another 4 were in the pipeline. The group had a discussion over managing these non league fixtures such as Notts County and Millwall, as they appear to give rise to unexpected hooliganism. DH reported a general improvement in behaviour within the ground as a result of the access control. HLJ mentioned a similar situation at the Birmingham Brentford fixture, he reported that other risk from other teams appeared to join in. HLJ mentioned they may have to look at “police free’s” with police involvement. DH reported that the away behaviour at Liverpool had been poor with smoking in toilets and attacking Stewards, although for some reason this only happens at Liverpool, DH voiced dissatisfaction over the response of colleagues in other forces hampering attempts to control our own hooligan element, this had been brought up at a police conference with discussions on consistency of forces and courts. DH reported that the Newcastle fans had a reputation for drinking and of the 20 coaches that had been told to turn up at the RV point only 3 did, there is some suspicion that coach drivers were being intimidated. All 6 arrests were drink related, DH reported an incident at the Tap and Spile that was not determined due to a lack of cooperation from bar staff.
8. Report of West Midlands Ambulance Service
No report was submitted
9. Report of West Midlands Fire Service
NAB reported that Gary Jones had done the last inspection and noted some minor issues including potential access to the construction compound a lighting issue in the temporary emergency access which was being addressed and an outstanding issue with the break glass exits on non match days.
10. Report of Wolverhampton City Council
SB reported that it had been a busy lead up to the issue of the Safety Certificate but had been impressed with Buckingham and the manner in which they reacted to events a number of visits had been made with DO and his main concern now would be risks to lower from items left on the upper. The TV gantry had now been signed off. SS enquired as to what time it would be acceptable for the contractors to work to as they were asking if they could work on match days, the SAG discussed the possibility, concluding that the safety of spectators was paramount. AWJ congratulated all involved on a very good job.
11. Report of the Football Licensing Authority
MG reported that the FLA would morph into the Sports Grounds Safety Authority from 1st Nov, League activities would remain the same however other activities would be chargeable. MG reported he had attended the familiarisation test on Sept 7 and found it a very useful and worthwhile experience.
AOB
SS reported that he had appointed a new health and safety officer, Jayne Close, to assist with duties under HASWA
12. Date of Next Meeting
December 13 10.30 am start
Wolverhampton City Council
Molineux Stadium Safety Advisory Group
Minutes of Meeting held on 13 December 2011
Present
Wolverhampton City Council
Dan O'Brien, Regulatory Services (Chair) (Sec) Sean Churchill Building Control Steve Burson Building Control
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club
Steve Sutton Wolverhampton Wanderers FC Richard Skirrow Wolverhampton Wanderers FC
West Midlands Police
Dave Hulson Force Football Unit Donna Jones Force Football Unit
West Midlands Fire Service
Neil Aston Baugh WMFS
West Midlands Ambulance Service
Not represented
Sports Grounds Safety Authority
Mark Smith
1. Apologies
Mark Chapman, Jez Moxey Martin Girvan Andy Jervis Dave John Howard Lewis-Jones
2. Construction Update
SB reported that he had had a meeting with Tenos and was awaiting an updated fire report. DO reported that there were currently noise problems associated with construction noise.
3. Minutes/ matters arising following the meeting of the 4 October 2011
DO questioned if any more card blocks had been carried out for persistent standing. SS reported that there had not.
SS reported that the revised match day contingency plans had now been agreed.
DO reported that following additional intelligence on the performance of the Stan Cullis during inclement weather he was more comfortable with reconsidering the capacity subject to the agreement of the Stand Manager and Safety Officer. SS reported that the contingencies had worked well and he had been surprised how many had remained in their seats despite the rain. DO enquired how many unoccupied seats there were, SS reported between 500 and 600. RS suggested raising capacity to 4000. DO reported he would be comfortable with that as long as the Safety Officer was.
4. Report of Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club
Matchday reports
Matt Murray Testimonial – 22/10/11, 12:45 kick off Category – CS Attendance: 7860 Ejections – None Arrests – None
This fixture passed without issue.
Swansea – 22/10/11, 12:45 kick off Category – B Attendance: 25216 (22661), Away 2032 (SB Lower) Ejections – None Arrests – 1 Away
The Swansea City Supporters were mainly well behaved however there were a number of supporters that were turned away as they had been drinking excessively. The one arrest was for trying to enter the ground whilst drunk. They stood throughout the game but didn't block the gangways. Post match there was minor disorder outside the stadium involving approximately four home and two away fans. Sadly, a Wolves fan in the Steve Bull Upper tier suffered a cardiac arrest towards the end of the game.
Man City – Carling Cup – 26/10/11, 19:45 kick off Category – B Attendance: 12436 (11859), Away 2261 (SB Lower) Ejections – 1 Away Arrests – 2 Home, 4 Away
Overall this was a reasonable evening. The visitors were in good spirits and generally well behaved. There was a small group of over exuberant fans throwing beer around in the concourse. The vast majority of the visitors remained standing throughout. There were two away arrests for drink related issues and two for public order offences relating to smoking. Two home fans were arrested; one for throwing towards a Man City player and one for pitch encroachment. There were no issues on exit.
Wigan – 06/11/11, 13:30 kick off Category – A Attendance: 23094 (21586), Away 442 (JH Flank) Ejections – None Arrests – None This event passed off with everyone leaving the stadium safely. The Wigan supporters were fairly well behaved however a small group stood throughout the duration of the game, even after several attempts by the stewards to get them to sit down. A group of away youth risk supporters were in attendance however they caused no other problems than persistent standing. There were no issues on exit.
Sunderland – 04/12/11, 16:00 kick off Category – B Attendance: 25145 (), Away 1078 (JH Flank) Ejections – 4 Away Arrests – None
There were no pre or post match problems. All supporters mixed well en route. An away supporter was ejected for throwing a bottle inside the concourse, one was ejected from a home area and a further two following complaints from their fellow supporters about their use of foul and abusive language. The majority of the visitors remained standing and refused to comply with requests to sit down. There were no issues post match with all leaving together without incident.
5. Report of West Midlands Police
DH reported that Swansea had been relatively quiet although 30 risk had turned out although few went to the match, a group had to be moved off the coach park post match. Man City two home arrests, one for throwing and one for pitch incursion. Wigan resulted in a risk group turning up relatively early however no Wolves risk appeared. Sunderland hailed an imaginative approach with coaches to respect rv points, DH explained how one of the Football Officers had explained the Transport Commissioners Guidelines to all the coach companies.
DH reported that the police had secured 3 more civil bans of wolves youth of 2, 3 and 4 years each.
6. Report of West Midlands Ambulance Service
No report was submitted
7. Report of West Midlands Fire Service
NAB reported that all items from recent inspections had been dealt with. They were awaiting a licence plan for the alcohol sales areas and upper concourse bars. SB questioned issues surrounding means of escape through the new club shop.
8. Report of Wolverhampton City Council
Nothing to report from either service other than matters already raised.
9. Report of the Football Licensing Authority
MS reported that all SGSA email addresses had changed and it was important to update as the old FLA server would be turned off. MG was to be seconded full time to LOCOG, SGSA would endeavour to provide normal service.
12. Date of Next Meeting
6 March 2012 10.30 am start